State and Government in Ancient India c19.s1.43

c19.s1.43

We shall now give a brief description of the judicial procedure. The plaintiff was first to file the plaint stating precisely his case and claim. He was not allowed to vary his pleas. The defendant was then summoned with notice and required to submit his written statement in reply. He could either deny or admit the claim, or plead estoppel or *res judicata*. After considering the plaint and the written statement, the judge would call upon the parties to cite evidence. The evidence could be oral or documentary; the latter was regarded as more weighty. Possession was also possible to be adduced in proof of a claim.